An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

What a man really endeavoureth to do, that he may be said to do.

What a man really endeavoureth to doe, that he may be said to doe.

I will comfort my self; Why? Because though he were not able to attain such an end; Joy and comfort lieth beyond the line of the creature, yet he reached at it, he attempted and assayed all means to comfort himself. Thus the salvation of a man is ascribed to himself; A man is said to save himself, though salvation belongeth to the Lord, even temporal salvation, but especially eternal salvation, yet, a man may be said to save himself; As the Apostle (1 Epist. 4.16.) exhorts Timothy to walk by a holy rule, to settle himself in his studies, to read the Scriptures, and to meditate in them, to be faithful in dispensing of the Gospel, assuring him, If thou dost these things, thou shalt both save thy self, and them that hear thee. Save thy self. No man can be his own Saviour, he may be as well his own Creator; Timothy was thus encouraged, because in so doing, he did all that a man ought, who expects salvation. That was the way to, though not the cause of salvation. Salvation is all Christs, yet he who doth his best to save himself, may be said, to save himself. Thus also a man comforts himself, converts himself, instructs himself, when he putteth himself out to the utmost of gifts, graces, and opportunities to do or attain duties and blessings. No man (saith the Prophet) doth stir himself up to take hold of the Lord. The word in the Prophet signifies, to awake, or to watch; no man wakes or watches his opportunity to take hold of the Lord. It notes also that action of old birds, who flutter with their wings, and beat up their young ones, to urge and provoke them to use their wings, and fly abroad. Thus he complained, because the ⟨p. 351⟩lazy, dull-hearted Jews did not raise up and waken their hearts to do what they could, though to do it was more then they could.

I will comfort my self; Why? Because though he were not able to attain such an end; Joy and comfort lieth beyond the line of the creature, yet he reached at it, he attempted and assaied all means to comfort himself. Thus the salvation of a man is ascribed to himself; A man is said to save himself, though salvation belongeth to the Lord, even temporall salvation, but especially eternall salvation, yet, a man may be said to save himself; As the Apostle (1 Epist. 4.16.) exhorts Timothy to walk by a holy rule, to settle himself in his studies, to read the Scriptures, and to meditate in them, to be faithfull in dispensing of the Gospel, assuring him, If thou dost these things, thou shalt both save thy self, and them that hear thee. Save thy self. No man can be his own Saviour, he may be as well his own Creatour; Timothy was thus encouraged, because in so doing, he did all that a man ought, who expects salvation. That was the way to, though not the cause of salvation. Salvation is all Christs, yet he who doth his best to save himself, may be said, to save himself. Thus also a man comforts himself, converts himself, instructs himself, when he putteth himself out to the utmost of gifts, graces, and opportunities to doe or attain duties and blessings. No man (saith the Prophet) doth stir himself up to take hold of the Lord. The word in the Prophet signifies, to awake, or to watch; no man wakes or watches his opportunity to take hold of the Lord. It notes also that action of old birds, who flutter with their wings, and beat up their young ones, to urge and provoke them to use their wings, and flie abroad. Thus he complained, because the